Drinking Container Lid Device

ABSTRACT

A drinking container lid device for covering an opening of a drinking container, the drinking container has a rim defining the opening is provided. The drinking container lid device comprises a hollow casing lid with an opening formed in the hollow casing. An elastic material completely encircles the opening. The lid is positionable about the rim of the drinking container completely covering the opening of the drinking container. The elastic material releasably secures the lid about the rim of the drinking container. The lid enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/439,262 filed Dec. 27, 2016, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Drinking Container Lid,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of a drinking container lid device, and more specifically to the field of a drinking container lid device that enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize their drinking vessels and protect their own health, hygiene, and peace of mind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cold beverage in a glass or can, or a hot beverage in a mug, is attractive not only to people, but also to houseflies, gnats, hornets, bees, and wasps. Now the danger of encountering a wasp or hornet is clear enough; but the dangers posed by houseflies and similar pests are just as real. For while flies may not sting, they do carry a potentially infectious freight of bacteria and other noxious substances, and transfer these substances in a variety of ways to the surfaces they land on. If that weren't reason enough to cover a glass, can, mug or other container between sips, consider further that when one sets a glass down at a party or in a crowded nightclub, there are two additional problems: First, the problem of subsequently identifying the glass from among others exactly like it; and second, the far more serious potential hazard of someone's dropping a date-rape or other drug into the drink. These are extremely serious matters of hygiene, health, and personal safety, matters that people need to effectively address.

The prior art has put forth several designs for a drinking container lid device. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,551 to Carol G. Miller II provides a drink cap for preventing foreign substances from entering an opening of a beverage container, the drink cap comprising at least one flexible non-wetting sheet that has an outer surface, an inner surface, an edge portion located at the outermost periphery of the flexible sheet, a skirt portion located adjacent to the edge portion, an elastic periphery region located adjacent to the skirt portion, and a central web portion, whereby the central web portion of the inner surface of the at least one flexible sheet covers the opening of the beverage container.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,895 to Toussant et al provides a container covering system having a flexible film cover including an elastic peripheral portion. The film cover forms a seal around a container on which the covering system is placed.

US Patent Application No. 2011/0272423 to Idean Fakhri provides a coaster for a beverage container includes a napkin, a drawstring, and a retainer. The napkin comprises an absorbent material, and includes a bottom side and a top side. The napkin is configured for draping over a rim of the beverage container such that a portion of the napkin covers the rim when the napkin is draped over the rim. The drawstring includes a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second may extend out from the napkin through at least one opening in the napkin. The retainer is configured for receiving the first end and the second end of the drawstring, manually tightening the drawstring around an outer surface of the beverage container, and manually loosening the drawstring from around the outer surface of the beverage container.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking container lid that enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize their drinking vessels and protect their own health, hygiene, and peace of mind.

A drinking container lid device for covering an opening of a drinking container with the drinking container has a rim defining the opening is provided. The drinking container lid device comprises a hollow casing lid with an opening formed in the hollow casing. An elastic material completely encircles the opening. The lid is positionable about the rim of the drinking container completely covering the opening of the drinking container. The elastic material releasably secures the lid about the rim of the drinking container. The lid enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for covering an opening of a drinking container with the drinking container having a rim defining the opening. The method comprises providing a hollow casing lid, forming an opening in the hollow casing, completely encircling the opening with an elastic material, positioning the lid about the rim of the drinking container, releasably securing the lid about the rim of the drinking container with the elastic material, completely covering the opening of the drinking container, enabling users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.

The present invention further includes a drinking container lid device for covering an opening of a drinking container with the drinking container having a rim defining the opening. The drinking container lid device comprises a round, liquid impermeable plastic, hollow casing lid with an opening formed in the hollow casing. An elastic material completely encircles the opening. The lid is positionable about the rim of the drinking container completely covering the opening of the drinking container. The elastic material releasably secures the lid about the rim of the drinking container. The lid enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating a drinking container lid device, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the drinking container lid device, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating the drinking container lid device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a martini glass.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating the drinking container lid device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a Solo cup.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view illustrating the drinking container lid device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a coffee mug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Drinking Container Lid Device, indicated generally at 10, is a product line of single-use disposable, elasticized plastic covers or lids 12 for a variety of drinking vessels 14 and other similar containers: drinking glasses, soda cans, coffee and soup mugs, cocktail pitchers, wine carafes, and so forth. The drinking container 14 includes a rim defining an opening for receiving the liquid into and delivering the liquid from within the drinking container 14.

The Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention includes the lid 12 resembling a hollow casing or pouch positionable over the opening around the rim of the drinking container 14. Preferably, the lid 12 is constructed from a liquid impermeable plastic, silicone, or rubber material such that liquid is incapable of permeating the lid 12 from any direction. Additionally, preferably, each lid 12 is constructed from a food-grade plastic film similar to (but slightly heavier than) that used in food-wraps although constructing each lid 12 from a different material is within the scope of the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, the plastic material of the lid 12 can be stretchable allowing the lid 12 to stretch over the drinking container 14, as will be described in further detail below.

The lid 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention are preferably substantially circular or oval shape and produced in a variety of sizes ranging from approximately two (2″) inches to approximately four (4″) inches in length, approximately two (2″) inches to approximately three (3″) inches in width, and approximately two (2″) inches in expandable depth. While the lid 12 has been described as having certain preferred dimensions, it is within the scope of the present invention for the lid 12 to have any desired dimension.

The lid 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention has a substantially circular opening 16 surrounded by an elastic material 18. In use, the lid 12 is releasably held securely in place around the rim and over the opening of the drinking container 14 via the elastic material 18. The lid 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 simply slips over the rim or top of the drinking container 14, and, held securely in position by the elasticized, vessel-hugging border 18, protect the drinking container 14 from insects, airborne bacteria, and unscrupulous tampering.

Not only that, but because the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention is produced in a wide range of distinctive colors, and embellished with a variety of appealing patterns and graphic designs, the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 also serves to personalize and identify the user's specific glass, can, or other vessel thereby distinguishing it from otherwise identical vessels at, for example, parties, clubs, and bars.

The Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention is easily penetrated by a drinking straw permitting the user to simultaneously cover, and consume, a beverage. When the lid 12 is penetrated by the straw, not only does the straw remain undamaged, the lid 12 outside the outer perimeter of the straw is undamaged.

The Drinking Container Lid Device 10 can be sold in multi-unit packages with each of the individual Drinking Container Lid Device 10 having a different, distinctive color or pattern. Thus, each child in a household, or each guest at a party, would have his or her own, easily identified, festively colored and embellished Drinking Container Lid Device 10, a feature designed to eliminate confusion, as well as the cross-consumption of drinks. The Drinking Container Lid Device 10 can be distinguished by printed patterns and graphic designs featuring different flowers, animals, balloons, cartoon characters, sports themes, holiday themes, party themes, and more. The handy multi-unit packs are also compact and easily portable, so that a user can conveniently carry a pack of Drinking Container Lid Devices 10 in a purse, briefcase, book-bag, or glove-compartment, for use whenever needed. Further, the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 can be packaged with multiple units in an assortment of sizes for various vessels which include not only the drinking vessels 14 already referred to, but also cereal bowls, re-usable water bottles or jugs, and even the cups, mugs, or glasses in which users keep their toothbrushes. The lids of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 can be sold in bars, restaurants, and other establishments. A person can even keep the lids 12 in their purse or bag. The lids 12 can cover any size drink and is available in colors and patterns to distinguish and be decorative. Because the lids 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention are so appealing, handy, distinctive and useful, the lids 12 are ideal not just for household users, but also for the owners and operators of bars and clubs who provide each customer a personal lid 12 emblazoned with the bar or club name and logo, both for immediate use within the club, and as a take-home souvenir or keepsake. Likewise, the lids 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 are an ideal product for a wide variety of other business, commercial, and institutional concerns to use as a customer-loyalty reward or promotional give-away. Such establishments, from stores, shops, and various service-providers to schools and churches, simply purchase the lids 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 in bulk, then have them printed with their own name, slogan, or logo, then give them to their customers or clients. (Schools, churches, and charitable organizations might also sell the lids 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 as a fund-raising vehicle.) The improved hygiene afforded by the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 make this product line ideal for use in less-developed regions of the world where poverty, disease, and lack of public hygiene are common. In this application, the lids 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 can be purchased in large quantities by governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in international aid, and distributed to the disadvantaged populations they serve.

In summary, the lids 12 of the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 of the present invention offer users a host of significant advantages and benefits at an easily affordable price. The Drinking Container Lid Device 10 presents users with the means to achieve several important functions: Sealing and covering their beverage between sips, and thus protecting the beverage and vessel 14 from contamination by insects, airborne bacteria, and dust; serving as a means of personalizing the drinking vessel 14 for instant and accurate identification; preventing an unscrupulous individual from tampering with one's beverage to nefarious ends; offering a wide variety of commercial and institutional establishments an ideal promotional, give-away, or fund-raising product; and even extending health and hygiene benefits to persons living in poverty throughout the world. All this in a simple, single-use disposable product that one carries and uses. Clearly, the Drinking Container Lid Device 10 meets several needs shared by virtually all users and this festive and highly useful product will find a wide and enthusiastic market reception, both within America and around the world.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A drinking container lid device for covering an opening of a drinking container, the drinking container has a rim defining the opening, the drinking container lid device comprising: a hollow casing lid; an opening formed in the hollow casing; and an elastic material completely encircling the opening; wherein the lid is positionable about the rim of the drinking container completely covering the opening of the drinking container; wherein the elastic material releasably secures the lid about the rim of the drinking container; and wherein the lid enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.
 2. The drinking container lid device of claim 1 wherein the lid is constructed from a liquid impermeable plastic material.
 3. The drinking container lid device of claim 1 wherein the lid has a shape selected from the group consisting of round and oval.
 4. The drinking container lid device of claim 1 wherein the lid is constructed from a malleable material selected from the group consisting of silicone and rubber.
 5. The drinking container lid device of claim 1 wherein the elastic material forms a watertight lip encircling the rim of the drinking container.
 6. The drinking container lid device of claim 1 and further comprising: identifying indicia imprinted on the lid for identifying a particular drinking container.
 7. The drinking container lid device of claim 6 wherein the identifying indicia is selected from the group consisting of a name, slogan, and logo.
 8. The drinking container lid device of claim 6 wherein the identifying indicia is selected from the group consisting of printed patterns and graphic designs featuring different flowers, animals, balloons, cartoon characters, sports themes, holiday themes, and party themes.
 9. The drinking container lid device of claim 8 wherein the multi-unit packs have lids with an assortment of sizes for various drinking containers.
 10. The drinking container lid device of claim 1 and further comprising: a straw; wherein the straw is capable of penetrating the lid without damage to the straw or the lid outside an outer perimeter of the straw.
 11. A method for covering an opening of a drinking container, the method comprising: providing a hollow casing lid; forming an opening in the hollow casing; completely encircling the opening with an elastic material; positioning the lid about the rim of the drinking container; releasably securing the lid about the rim of the drinking container with the elastic material; completely covering the opening of the drinking container; enabling users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.
 12. The method of claim 11 and further comprising: constructing the lid from a liquid impermeable plastic material.
 13. A drinking container lid device for covering an opening of a drinking container, the drinking container has a rim defining the opening, the drinking container lid device comprising: a round, liquid impermeable plastic, hollow casing lid; an opening formed in the hollow casing; and an elastic material completely encircling the opening; wherein the lid is positionable about the rim of the drinking container completely covering the opening of the drinking container; wherein the elastic material releasably secures the lid about the rim of the drinking container; and wherein the lid enables users to easily cover, protect, and personalize the drinking vessel and protect health, hygiene, and peace of mind.
 14. The drinking container lid device of claim 13 wherein the elastic material forms a watertight lip encircling the rim of the drinking container.
 15. The drinking container lid device of claim 13 and further comprising: identifying indicia imprinted on the lid for identifying a particular drinking container.
 16. The drinking container lid device of claim 15 wherein the identifying indicia is selected from the group consisting of a name, slogan, and logo.
 17. The drinking container lid device of claim 15 wherein the identifying indicia is selected from the group consisting of printed patterns and graphic designs featuring different flowers, animals, balloons, cartoon characters, sports themes, holiday themes, and party themes.
 18. The drinking container lid device of claim 13 wherein the lids are packaged in multi-unit packs.
 19. The drinking container lid device of claim 18 wherein the multi-unit packs have lids with an assortment of sizes for various drinking containers.
 20. The drinking container lid device of claim 13 and further comprising: a straw; wherein the straw is capable of penetrating the lid without damage to the straw or the lid outside an outer perimeter of the straw. 